miscellany monday

happy monday everyone – i’ve added my random ramblings to carissa’s miscellany monday party!  check out carissa’s blog here and join in on the fun. 

{one} anthropologie tag sale – part 2?  did you buy anything at the tag sale last week?  i was able to make it to the store the day on the sale after all and i got everything that i wanted.  i’m curious to see if the store is going to markdown any more items.  fingers crossed!  

{two} the bachelorette.  so a few months ago i wrote  about abc’s the bachelor, brad womack, and some of the girls in the finale.  well if you didn’t know this already, abc brought back miss ashley h. to prime time for her chance to find love again on her own show – the bachelorette.  the season premiere aired tonight with 25 really good looking men vying for ashley’s attention.  i think that she’s going to have a real tough job over the next several weeks finding “the one.”  ashley is super lucky to travel to some amazing countries too – i’m looking forward to see the footage in hong kong, thailand, fiji.

{three} running.  my co-worker and i ran 3 ½ miles today after work today.  we are gearing up for another 5k on memorial day.  i’ve been a running fool lately, but this florida heat may change things a bit.

{four} oprah.  i just got finished watching part one of the surprise oprah - farewell spectacular.  did you watch it? her team did an amazing job so far.  i really enjoyed beyonce and rascal flats’ performances.  oprah is truly an amazing woman – it’s kinda hard to believe that she won’t be on the air everyday.  she’s been in our lives for 25 years and she is an inspiration for so many people.  she’ll be missed more than she can ever know.  what do you guys think about oprah retiring?

{five} tornadoes and floods.  as you know, the midwest and southern states have been hit hard by harsh weather over the few weeks.  tornados have destroyed parts of alabama, kansas and most recently, missouri.  and of course we know that the mississippi river is close to flooding parts of louisiana.  if you want to help out by volunteering or making a donation to those in need in the affected areas, please check out these links to the red cross and the humane society. 

OXOX Natasha

Race Recap: Marty’s Run 5k

I ran in the Marty’s 5k Run on May 14th and I had a great time.  It was a gorgeous day for a race.  The Marty’s Run benefited Memories of Love, which is a non-profit organization for families whose parents are battling a life-threatening illness.  Check out the website if you want to learn more about this great organization.  The weather was pretty warm that morning, but it was not unbearable.  The race itself was just okay - the course was very simple because the road was flat the whole way and it went through a cute little neighborhood. 

I’m not sure where I finished overall because the race officials split the result between men and women.  There were 346 total race finishers and 199 female finishers.   I came in 4th in my age group and I was the 36th female finisher overall.  My official chip time was 28:12.  I was a little disappointed about my stats since I wanted my time to decrease from the previous race.  It just goes to show you that no matter what kind of 5k race you run in, there are no two 5ks that are the same.  There are so many factors that can impact the outcome of a race, like the weather, how much rest you had the night before, sneakers, playlist/music.  This list can go on and on.  This race in particular, I ran too fast for the first 2 miles and just gave out during the 3rd mile.  I realized after this race that I need to work on my pacing over the next few weeks.

OXOX Natasha

Fresh Picks to Follow: Running Apparel

Hiya ladies – Happy Friday!  I hope that you all have a wonderful, relaxing weekend planned.  I only have a couple of things planned for the weekend which includes a 5k race tomorrow afternoon and a baptism to attend on Sunday.  Anyways, since the weather has been warming up over the past few weeks, I’ve been running and working out a lot more.  I’ve also been updating my workout wardrobe.  So, I thought it would be appropriate to write a post regarding running fashion.

As you brave your first run on the treadmill or compete in your first race, you may want to reconsider your workout wardrobe. You may not think about it, but style is a key issue when it comes to running or working out.  The right running apparel not only ensures that you feel confident when you pound the pavement, but it will aide your performance and help you feel comfortable.  Here are my top 10 running apparel pieces for this week’s Fresh Pick to Follow.  What is your favorite piece of running apparel? Do you own any of the items that I listed below?  Let me know what you think. 

1. Adidas - Supernova Racer Bra…$35.00

2. Saucony - Women's Run Lux Short Sleeve…$35.00

3. WrightSock – SLR Low Quarter Sock…$10.00

4. C9 by Champion - Women's Running Shorts…$14.99

5. Lululemon - Run: Speed Skirt…$58.00

6. Under Armour - Escape Get Started Tank…$29.99

7. Adidas - ULT WO Tee…$20.00

8. Nike - Tempo Track Women's Running Shorts…$15.97 (was $28.00)

9. Under Armour - Form Loose Capri…$44.99

10.  Puma - Large Logo Tank Top…$23.00

OXOX Natasha

miscellany monday

happy monday everyone – i’ve added my random ramblings to carissa’s miscellany monday party!  check out carissa’s blog here and join in on the fun. 

{one} anthropologie tag sale.  i went to my local anthro store tonight and they were in full swing: moving fixtures around the store and marking items down.   i only saw a handful of items that i recognized, so i can’t write out a list of them.  i’m so excited about this sale…i can’t wait to see everything that got marked down.  and i really hope that they plan to add free shipping and an additional discount.  i guess we’ll find out in the morning.  according to an email that i received from anthro, some stores plan to open early for anthro card holders only.  here are a list of stores (here) that will open early for the big sale.  unfortunately, i won’t be able to make it to the store tomorrow.  i’m hoping that the items i put on hold will still be there by wednesday.  i’m keeping my fingers crossed!  let me know what you hope to buy at the sale.

{two} gossip girl.  did you watch the season finale of gossip girl?  what did you think?  i’ve always held a torch for blair and chuck.  i love the back and forth they go through and i’m always rooting for them.  do you think that they will ever get back together?  we’ll see next season.

{three} running shoes.  i finally bought a new pair of running sneakers.  i went to my local running store and got my feet fitted for some new shoes.  the shoe-fitting specialist performed a series of measurements and tests including video taping me run on the treadmill to figure out what shoe would be best for me.  the specialist told me that running shoes are classified into several shoe types: cushion, stability and motion control.  i’m glad that i went because my old sneakers were doing more damage than good.  it turns out that i needed a shoe that provides stability for my ankles.  who knew?  i ended up purchasing a pair of asics gt-2160 and they feel amazing.  i can’t wait to try them out in my next race. 

{four} never quit beach fest.  i’m so excited about this weekend.  i signed up for the never quit beach fest in jacksonville, fl on may 21.  i signed up to run in the 5k run on the beach.  it sounds like it’s going to be a great event.  i’ll write up a race recap when the race is over to let you know how it went.  for more information about the never quit fest, check out the website (here). 

OXOX Natasha

Fresh Picks to Follow: Bangles and Cuffs

I had a real tough time trying to figure out what to feature for my Friday Fresh Picks to Follow post.  However, I was in the process of adding some Anthropologie items to my wish list and I realized that I added a handful of jewelry pieces to my list.  In particular, I added a handful of bangles and cuffs.  Lately, I’ve been  a little obsessed with bangles and cuffs.   I already have a handful of bangles in my collection, but I don’t own any cuffs.  I’m ready to start adding a few of these cuffs to my collection very soon.  Check out my top 10 Fresh Picks for the week and let me know what you think.  Are you a bangle or cuff wearer?

1. Anthropologie - Starfish Cuff…$198.00

2. Anthropologie - Best Bunch Cuff…$78.00

3. Alexis Bittar - Golden Silk Medium Cuff…$225.00

4. Anthropologie - Gilded Link Bracelet…$168.00

5. Anthropologie - Coin-Operated Cuff…$198.00

6. Pamela Love - Tribal Spike Cuff…$195.00

7. Coach – Half Inch Pierced Op Art Pave Bangle…$158.00

8. Anthropologie - Quatro Bangles…$58.00

9. Ted Rossi - Mirror/Extreme Bling Cuff…$288.00

10. Ted Rossi - Turq Faux Lizard Bangles…$65.00

OXOX Natasha